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The average rating for Bark Therapists is 4.92, based on 166,894 reviews
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Want to speak to a therapist but not sure of the cost? Our therapy price guide will help you set your budget so you can get back on the road to good mental health.
A survey by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy found that 73% of people find therapy useful for mental wellbeing, and 75% agreed that talking to a therapist would make people happier.
Therapy is often a pivotal investment in our wellbeing, but it's also one that requires considerable research, especially when it comes to the cost. If you're navigating the waters of seeking therapy in the UK, it's crucial to understand the financial aspects connected to professional support for mental health.
On this page, we’ve given an in-depth price guide for therapy prices in the UK. This includes all the options available, as well as how it varies according to your location in the country.
Don’t forget that these prices are just a guide. If you want a personalised quotation, speak to a therapist near you.
A therapist is a health professional who is qualified to help you to overcome emotional distress by talking through your problems. You don’t need to talk about anything you don’t feel comfortable about, but they’ll encourage you to express yourself as far as possible. It can be a difficult journey, but many people find it's more than worth the cost. Therapists are there to help with a range of mental health problems including:
Depression
Anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Relationship problems
Low mood/Low self-esteem
Phobias
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Therapists use a range of different techniques to help you overcome your issues, a common one in the UK being Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This is a talking therapy designed to help you change the way you think and behave as a way to overcome your issues. If you're not sure where to start, you can find an experienced therapist on Bark.
The average price of a therapist is £60 per session. You’ll see variation in this number, from £45 per session on the lower end, up to £100 per session on the higher end.
In London, where the cost of living is higher, you might expect to pay around £75 per session. Meanwhile, in rural Wales or Scotland, £45 per session is commonplace. Make sure you get clarification on how long a session is though, as this can impact your value for money.
More seasoned therapists or those specialising in specific areas like trauma or addiction might charge the upper end of the spectrum due (£120+) to their advanced training and experience.
Therapy doesn’t improve your quality of life overnight. It’s a process that takes time and patience, so it’s important to know just how much therapy is going to cost you if you’re going to commit to regular sessions.
The price of a therapist is impacted by a number of factors. Let's get into some of those.
| Number of sessions | Average total price |
| 1 | £60 |
| 5 | £300 |
| 10 | £600 |
| 20 | £1,200 |
| 50 | £3,000 |
| 100 | £6,000 |
You have several different types of therapy to choose from when the moment arrives. The best one depends on your needs, so speak to a specialist for guidance.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely-used therapy focused on changing patterns of thinking and behaviour. It’s the most common type of therapy. Prices are £60 per session on average.
Psychoanalysis is a highly specialised form of therapy. It usually requires a specialist with more expertise and experience. The average price is around £90 per session.
Group therapy is less pricey and lots of people prefer this, for that reason. The average price per person is around £40 for each session.
Couples or family therapy tends to be slightly less expensive, too. £40 per session is a typical price for basic couples’ therapy. But for complex needs, such as learning disabilities, addiction or trauma, you may see prices go as high as £80 per person.
| Type of therapy | Average price per person |
| Cognitive behavioural therapy | £60 |
| Psychoanalysis | £90 |
| Group therapy | £40 |
| Couples or family therapy (basic) | £40 |
| Couples or family therapy (complex) | £80 |
The cost of a therapist can vary depending on different factors. These include:
Type of therapy
Group therapy vs. individual therapy
Experience
Location
Online vs in-person
Bulk bookings
Your needs
Keep reading for a summary of how each factor impacts your price.
You can see a full breakdown of the different therapy types further above on this page. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most common and sits around £60 per session. But complex sessions involving addiction, trauma, or additional needs can sometimes go into the triple digits. Group sessions, or couples’ therapy, may be slightly less pricey.
Individual therapy involves the professional working one-on-one with you, whereas group therapy occurs with other people receiving the same therapy at the same time. Although individual therapy means the therapist can solely focus on you, group therapy has its advantages, in meeting people who share similar problems to you. Group therapy is also less expensive.
If you’re nervous about starting therapy and would rather talk to someone in a private environment, individual therapy may be a better option. An individual session tends to be around 50 minutes, whereas a group session lasts around 90 minutes to accommodate for everyone.
The cost of therapy can vary depending on the level of training your therapist has. You should make sure that your therapist has the minimum qualifications to practice. There are different types of qualifications for different types of therapists:
Counsellor: Counsellors don’t need a degree, but they should have a diploma in counselling.
Psychologist: Psychologists need a degree as well as a postgraduate qualification in an area of expertise. For this reason, psychologists tend to be more pricey.
Psychotherapist: Psychotherapists require an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field as well as a postgraduate qualification.
Many therapists offer a free consultation before you lock in for a long contract. It may be worth utilising this to see whether you and your therapist are a great match.
Your location can significantly impact how much you pay for therapy. In London and the south-east of England, £75 per session is typical. Whereas in the north-east and north-east of the country, £50 per session is far more common.
In Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, £45 per session is typical. And other parts of the UK often sit in the middle of this range. Remember, these figures aren’t set in stone, but they offer a good indication of the cost variations you might expect across the UK.
For those who find the digital space more comfortable and accessible, online therapy can be a more cost-effective option that doesn't compromise the quality of care. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) puts the average cost of online therapy at £40 – £50 per session. It’s less expensive due to the reduced need for an office space.
You should test online for a couple of sessions before committing to it long-term. Although it’s less pricey, many feel that the impact is diminished. It can depend on your needs and the skills of your therapist. You may also not have the necessary equipment, in which case, in-person is better.
You will find that many therapists are open to negotiation on prices, if you book for a long period up-front. This discount could save you money if you planned to go for a long time anyway.
The complexity of you needs are a hugely important factor. Your therapist will often prefer a free ‘trial’ session so they can discuss this and see if it’ll impact price. Addiction and PTSD will often need specialists with specific qualifications and experience. This pushes up your price. Meanwhile, struggling with anxiety often makes the hourly rate more ‘typical’.
| Location | Average hourly price |
| London | £75 |
| South-east England | £65 |
| South-west England | £60 |
| Midlands | £60 |
| North-east England | £50 |
| North-west England | £50 |
| Wales | £45 |
| Scotland | £45 |
| Northern Ireland | £45 |
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK offers free counseling and therapy services, which are usually accessed via a GP referral. However, there can be long waiting times, a limited choice of therapists, and you might not be guaranteed the modality of therapy you prefer. For immediate, personalised attention, private therapy is often the faster route, albeit at an expense. Read more about accessing NHS therapy services.
Everyone should be able to access mental health care when they need to, regardless of their financial circumstances. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep costs down:
Ask about price packages - If you’re booking multiple sessions with a therapist you can normally get a small discount per session. In most cases, you will need multiple sessions with your therapist before you start seeing results.
Ask if your therapist operates on a sliding scale - A sliding scale means that your therapist is willing to charge less per hour based on your income level. So if you’re a student or on a low-wage, you could get your sessions for a lower price
Go online - Therapists sometimes offer their services online, which can be a cheaper alternative to face-to-face sessions. You might find online therapy more comfortable as the session can take place from the comfort of your own home.
You may also want to consider spacing out your therapy sessions, or negotiating on the length of the session. But this can negatively impact the benefits you receive from the process. It’s not worth sacrificing your mental health, if you can avoid it, so budget carefully.
When your mental health is at stake, it’s essential to find a therapist whom you trust and who can give the care you need. However, budget considerations are also a reality for many. Here are some steps to help align your search with your financial situation:
Research extensively:
Use therapist databases to search for professionals within your price range. You can browse through the different profiles and see which ones catch your eye. You can also ensure that they’re experienced in the area you need support in.
Ask for free consultations:
Many therapists offer free consultations, giving you an opportunity to discuss fees and see if there’s a financial arrangement that suits you. It’s rare for a professional to refuse this. It allows you to see if you develop great rapport with them.
Flexibility:
Consider alternative therapies or modalities that might be less expensive. Online therapy is a great example that might be worth trying. If your schedule is tricky, then you’ll need to understand your therapist’s cancellation policy, too.
Online therapy, also known as e-therapy or teletherapy, is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and often lower cost compared to traditional in-person sessions. However, the efficacy might vary from person to person, and not all platforms are equal. Prices for online therapy are generally within the same range as in-person therapy, but without the additional travel and time expenses sometimes associated with traditional therapy.
It’s vital to be both informed and proactive in finding a therapeutic solution that harmonises with your financial reality. While the cost of therapy can certainly be a barrier, with the right approach and knowledge of the available options, it’s possible to find support that’s both effective and affordable. Remember, in your therapeutic journey, you’re investing not only in a service but in the most essential part of your well-being.
It’s common to hear people use these terms interchangeably. But there are a couple of differences to be aware of. Therapy tends to incorporate mental health relating to depression, anxiety or PTSD. Although this isn’t exclusively what it looks at, many therapists will specialise in these areas and have the relevant qualifications. Counselling is slightly less specialised. It often focuses on open conversation and delving into childhood experiences that have shaped us. A counsellor might be slightly less qualified than a therapist, and their hourly rate is often lower.
The average rating for Bark Therapists is 4.92, based on 166,894 reviews
5/5
based on 166,894 reviews
